New Airbus deal to create more than 6,000 jobs across Britain

The British Government has pledged £340million to Airbus to ensure part of its upcoming A350 XWB aircraft is built in the UK.

Business Minister Peter Mandelson said at an Airbus plant in Filton, Bristol that the support would create and sustain more than 1,200 jobs within Airbus at its sites in Filton and Broughton in North Wales, as well as over 5,000 jobs within the supply chain across Britain.

'This agreement is excellent news for the UK aerospace sector and for the thousands of British workers within Airbus and its UK-based supply chain,' Lord Mandelson said.

'Aerospace is one of UK manufacturing's crown jewels, and manufacturing is one of the UK economy's crown jewels.'

The A350 has already been ordered by 30 customers

Airbus, which is owned by European aerospace giant EADS, has been
looking for loans from European governments to help build the 11billion
euro project in exchange for work to be shared out around the continent.

Germany would provide 1.1billion euros and France 1.4billion, German and French officials have said.

The system is fiercely opposed by the United States and arch rival Boeing who say the loans are being given on favourable terms.

The
A350, which has already been ordered by 30 customers, will launch next
decade and is intended to compete with Boeing's much-delayed 787
Dreamliner.